Amusement apparatus



June 28,1927. 1,633,751

J. D.'PONTIOUS AMUSEMENT APPARATUS Filed Sept. 9., 1926 2 sheets-sheet 1 ampem toz attowmp.

. June 28', 1927- J, p. Pom-nous AMUSEMENT APPARATUS Filed Sept. 9, 1926 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 a t Wankel $2)! a 1 I o Patented June 28, 1927.

UMTED STATES PATENT car es.

JOHN n ronrroua on I-IAMIIIONI), INDIANA, ASSIGNOB or pinata-mar 'ro LIZZIE BON'I'IOUS, or HAMMOND, INDIANA.

AMUSEMENT APPARATUS.

Application filed September 9, 1926. Serial No. 134,441.

This invention relates to amusement apparatus; one of the objects being to provide a target at which projectiles are to be thrown, means being employed whereby when the target is struck, a latch will be operated to release a restraining element located adjacent one end of a chute whereby an object supported by the chute will be released.

Another object is to provide a device of this character which is simple and compact in construction and is particularly adapted for use at amusement resorts, fairs and the like.

With the foregoing and other objects in view which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention resides in the combination and arrangement of parts and in the details of construction hereinafter de scribed and claimed, it being understood that changes in the precise embodiment of the invention herein disclosed may be made within the scope of what is claimed, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

In the accompanying drawings the preferred form of the invention has been shown.

In said drawings,

Figure 1 is a front elevation of the apparatus in use.

Figure 2 is a plan view of the chute, the retaining door being shown in section.

Figure 3 is a section on line 3-3, Figure 2.

Figure 4: is an enlarged side elevation of the latch and target, the springs and the door being shown in section.

Figure 5 is a rear elevation thereof.

Figure 6 is a secton on line 6-6, Fig ure 4.

Figure 7 is a perspective view of the upper portion of the latch.

Referring to the figures by characters of reference 1 designates a suitable enclosure having door openings 2 through which are extended inclined chutes or slides 3 the upper or rear ends of which can be upcurved as at 4 and normally concealed within the enclosure. A door 5 is hingedly mounted in each opening 2 and constitutes means for retaining an object supported by the upper portion of the chute or slide. Each door has a guide sleeve 6 extending therefrom and slidable in this sleeve is the stem 7 of a tan get 8* this target be in the form a disk. A pin 9'is extended diametrically throughstem 7 and its ends are adapted to slide .withinslots 10 formed in opposed por-. (101-13 of the sleere6. A spring 11 is mounted on the guide sleeve 6 and thrusts at one end against the disk 8 and at its other end against the door or the base of the sleeve. Thus the target is held normally projected away from the door. The inner end of the stem 7 is beveled as at 12 and normally projects slightly beyond the inner or back face of the door 5.

Secured to the door is a guide bracket 13 having a slot 1 1 into which the beveled end 12 is adapted to project when the target is thrust backwardly from normal position. This bracket serves to retain and guide a roller 15 carried by an arm 16 extending laterally from the upper end of a latch stem 17. This stem has a head 18 at its lower end and the stem and head are guided within brackets 19 secured to the back face of the door. A spring 20 is mounted on the latch stem and thrust downwardly against the head 18 the lower end of which is beveled as shown at 21.

When the door 5 is closed the head 18 of the latch projects into engagement with a keeper 22 which can consist of one wall of an opening 23 in the bottom of the slide or chute 3. Thus the door is held closed and when the parts are thus located the roller 15 bears upon the lower portion of the beveled end 12 of stem 7.

In'practice a person can be seated back of each door upon the upper portion of the chute and will be retained in such position 1 by the door. The customer throws balls at the target 6 and if said target is hit with sufficient force it will be moved backwardly against the action of spring 11 so that the beveled end 12 will lift roller 15' and'latch rod 17. Consequently the head 18 will be disengaged from its keeper and the door will be swung open by the pressure thereagainst of the retained person. Consequently the person will be released'and slide along the chute 3. Obviously various objects can be used on the chute in lieu of a person.

What is claimed is: p 1. An amusement aaparatus including an enclosure having .oor opening, a chute inclined vand forwardly beyond the enclosure the opening, said ehate c ex ending into the Gl'lClOSUlG, a door for closiug the opening and retaining an object on that portion of the chute Within the enclosure, means for holding the door in closed position, a target movably mounted on the door, and means actuated by the target When shifted from normal position, for releasing the door.

2. An amusement apparatus including an enclosure having a door opening, a chute Within the enclosure and extending downwardly and forwardly through and beyond the opening, a door for the opening constituting means for retaining an object on the upper portion of the chute and Within the enclosure, a latch carried by the door, means engaged thereby for holding the door shut, a yieldingly projected target connected to the door, a stem movable therewith, and cooperating means upon the stem and latch for disengaging the latch from its keeper when the target is shifted out of normal position.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own, I have hereto aflixed my signature.

JOHN D. PONTIOUS. 

